HALIFAX, NS TO BOSTON

August 31, 2011

We departed the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Marina at 0836 hrs this morning.  It was a beautiful day with light SW'ly winds.  The Wx forecast was for the wind to veer into the NW at 10 kts.  This would make for great sailing as it comes off the land and puts us on a beam reach- any boats' best point of sailing.  So we motored along waiting for the wind change.  Finally, at 2100 hrs the wind veered into the NW so we set the main and "jenny".  The favorable wind lasted until 0130 hrs the following morning and then died out.  A great pity for it was beautiful sailing while it lasted.  So we start the engine and motor along.

September 1, 2011

0630 hrs the wind has veered around to the NE @ 10-12 kts so we set the main sail and jib.  With a NE'ly wind we can't sail a direct course to Boston so it requires making several long tacks on a broad reach.  Our course to Boston is plotted out to be 253 deg; the wind is blowing 225 deg and changing direction slightly to a more E'ly direction.   By 1900 hrs the wind goes light and the seas become confused and lumpy.  Time to start the engine and motor sail.

Sept 2, 2011

Wind pattern for the Gulf of Maine is fresh winds during the daytime and falling light to calm at night.  We are experiencing this and continue to motor throughout the night.  There is a S'ly swell developing and the seas are confused.  We're able to sail from 0900 hrs until 1230 hrs and then the winds are too light to cope with the 8' S'ly swell that is predominant.  It causes the wind to spill out of the sails and they flog around which is very annoying and uncomfortable.  So we douse the jib and motor sail with the mail sheeted in flat.  Once again at night, the wind falls out leaving  the big swell from the South.

September 3, 2011

There is no wind and it's becoming obvious that we'll have to motor the rest of the way.  The 8' S'ly swell is causing the mail to flog so we drop and secure it.  The rest of the trip into Boston is uneventful and a SW'ly wind starts blowing but not much help to us at this point.  There are quite a few lobster trap lines about 40 nm outside of Boston.  This requires a vigilant watch so we don't pick up a line in the propeller.

1300 hrs all secured at East Boston Shipyard and Boatworks Marina slip #10.  Call Customs for clearance.  At 1430 hrs a CBP agent shows up at our dock and clears the vessel with no paper work.  How nice is that!!

We'll be here until Tuesday and then head out for Cape Cod Canal and the Connecticut Shore.  We have family and friends in CT so a stop will give those that want to see "Solstice" a chance to do it.